More than 500 people referred in first year of GM Entrenched Rough Sleeper Programme

The country’s largest programme to tackle entrenched rough sleeping has received more than 500 referrals in its first year of operation, surpassing all expectations.

Led by Greater Manchester Housing Providers members One Manchester and Trafford Housing Trust together with Bridges Fund Management and a number of other delivery and housing partners, the Government-funded programme, is the largest of a number of Entrenched Rough Sleeper Social Impact Bonds being rolled out outside of London.

A report to mark the first 12 months of the programme has also revealed the consortium, named the GM Homes Partnership, has managed to rehouse 121 people who had been sleeping on the streets of Greater Manchester’s towns and cities, with a further 28 under offer.

The partnership has also succeeded in supporting more than 100 people to access local GPs.

The consortium was launched in November 2017 with an aim to work with up to 200 of Greater Manchester’s entrenched rough sleepers, help them off the streets and support them to build a new life, using a £1.8m government fund accessed through the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

As a result of the unprecedented demand and higher than anticipated levels of engagement, the project has gained an additional £829,000.

Since the launch, delivery partners Shelter, Great Places and the Brick have worked hard to engage those on the streets, using a personalised strength based approach, working with individuals where they feel most comfortable, undertaking outreach support in any location and to share best practice to ensure this project worked sustainably.

Dave Power, chief executive at One Manchester, says that this collaborative approach is what sets the GM Homes Partnership apart: “It was clear from previous programmes that when it comes to supporting entrenched rough sleepers, bricks and mortar aren’t enough.

“By partnering up with experienced delivery partners, healthcare providers, employment services and housing providers, we can give wrap around support to everyone we work with. Our collaborative group supports people to not just secure their tenancies, but to maintain them, by improving health and well being, supporting them to manage their finances and giving them the tools they need to secure long-term employment.”

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